1. Ponder’s last shot?: It’s like a “last chance for gas” sign in the desert, and quarterback Christian Ponder better get some premium in his tank in a hurry if he expects to have a future with the Vikings. It looked as if Ponder’s days were numbered when he had been benched and the Vikings recently acquired Josh Freeman. But Ponder, who struggled while starting the first three games of the season, is back in the lineup after Freeman suffered a concussion.

2. Progress from Peterson: So much for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson gaining 2,500 yards this season. He’s barely on pace to get halfway there (though he is ahead of his 2012 six-game total). For now, Peterson, who has been bogged down by a hamstring injury, needs to get things going back in the right direction. He carried just 13 times for 28 yards in Monday night’s 23-7 loss to the New York Giants — and he doesn’t even have 100 yards over the past two games (90).

3. Searching for swagger: For Peterson to be better, the offensive line must play better. Guard Brandon Fusco said Peterson told the linemen they need to get their “swagger back.” The Vikings are averaging 4.4 yards per rush this season, down from 5.4 last season. They’re giving up 2-1/2 sacks per game after allowing 2 per game last year.

4. The defense better not rest: The Vikings’ defense got off to a disastrous start this season, allowing averages of 31.6 points and 418 yards in the first five games. But at least it was better against the Giants, giving up just 257 yards, including a meager 64 on the ground. And New York scored 10 of its points on short drives after turnovers. But was the improvement simply because the Giants have such a shoddy offense? The Packers will provide a much sterner test.

5. Hoping Rodgers isn’t too mad: Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings, who played the previous seven years with the Packers, criticized Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the summer, saying he wasn’t a team player. Jennings backtracked in the past week on his comments and Rodgers shrugged them off. But providing Rodgers with any extra incentive is never a good idea.

Chris joined the Pioneer Press in 2013 to cover the Vikings. He was a longtime NBA writer with the Akron Beacon Journal, Rocky Mountain News and AOL FanHouse. Before coming to Minnesota, he covered the Miami Heat and Dolphins for Fox Sports. Chris has won four awards in the past three Pro Football Writers of America contests. Chris is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he spent his college years watching the losingest team in the history of Division I-A football.

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